Automatic rim loading machine



Dec. 15, 1959 F. P. sHARPE 2,917,100

AUTOMATIC RIM LOADING MACHINE 6 Sheets-Sheet 1 Filed Aug. 29, 1957 INV EN TOR.

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W'BY/ Dec. l5, 1959 F. P. sHARPE AUTOMATIC RIM LOADING MACHINE 6 Sheets-Sheet 2 Filed Aug. 29, 1957 INVENTOR.

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AUTOMATIC RIM LOADING MACHINE Dec. 15, 1959 Filed Aug. 29, 1957 6 Sheets-Sheet 4 F. P. SHARPE AUTOMATIC RIM LOADING MACHINE Dec. 15, 1959 Filed Aug. 29, 1957 6 Sheets-Sheet 5 ATTO/V'yd 6 Sheets-Sheet 6 F. P. SHARPE AUTOMATIC RIM LOADING MACHINE Dec. 15, 1959 Filed Aug. 29, 1957 United States Patenftffice 2,917,100 AvrasantenDec. 15,1959

2,917,100 AUTOMATIC RllVI LODING MACHINE Frederick P. Sharpe, Dearborn, Mich., assignor to Kelsey-y Hayes Company, Detroit, Mich., a corporation of Delaware Application August 29, 19757, Serial No. 681,102

21 Claill'lS. l(Cl. 153-28) This invention relates lto rim fashioning machinesl and refers more particularlyY lto apparatus for loading rim blanks on a rim fashioning machine.

The invention has for one of its objects to provideY ment toward and away from the'rolling machine fromr a normal position spaced laterally outwardly from the rolling machine, and clamping mechanism on the car'- rier for clamping a rim blank thereon during its movement toward and away from the rolling machine.

The invention has for a further object to provide' a rim loader as described in the preceding paragraph' having an elevator for delivering rim blanks to the carrier in its normal position, and means for actuating the clamping mechanism automatically in timed rela# tion with the elevator.

The `invention has for a still further object to provide a rim loader as described above having means for operating the clamping mechanism at its inward limitv of movement relative to the rolling machine to unclamp the rim blank and-deposit the same on one ofthe forming rolls prior to the rolling of the blank, and Vto reclamp the rim blank following the rolling operation.`

Other objects and features of the invention will become apparent as the description proceeds, especially when taken in conjunction with the accompanying drawings, illustrating a preferred embodiment of the in-` Fig. 7 is a sectional view on the line 7-7 of Fig. 4. i

Fig. 8 is a sectional view on the 1ine8-8 of Fig. 5. Fig. 9 is a sectional View on the line 9-9 of Fig. l4.

` Ported Upon a brace 37. The brace 37 underlies they.I 50r I The rim rolling machine, shown in dotted lines, is gen- ,y

erally indicated at 10 and comprises a xed base frame 11 provided with a pair of lixed upstanding bearing blocks 12 (only one of which is shown) in which the lower forming roll shaft 13 is rotatably supported. 4The lower forming roll 14 i`s fixed on one end of the shaft.

The upper forming roll 15 is secured to an upper shaft 16 rotatably mounted in the aligned bearing blocks 17 which depend from the hinged frame 18. lThe lel with the latter. The upper and lower rolls and f" 15 register with one"anothe`r` so as to cooperate in forming the wall of a rim blank B supportedr'o'n"the lower roll. The frame 18 is hinged to a bracket 1 9 car# Y ried by the base frame for verticalswinging'movementi 12;, about a horizontal axis extending parallel with'the axes of the shafts 13 and 16. A hydraulic piston cylinder assembly 20 is provided for raising and lowering the frame 18. The assembly f comprises a cylinder '21 the" lower end of^`which 'is'Y hinged to a xed pivot 22. Afrod 23 projectsbeyond the upper end of the cylinder and is caried'byapiston (not shown) within the cylinder, -the upper n'dfof the rod being suitably `connected'to the swinging'edge" of l' the hinged frame 18. Fluid conduits 24and .25"com-y l f municate with opposite ends ofthe cylinder and arei connected to a suitable 4-way solenoid'valve .32"for` al" ternately supplying hydraulic fluid' under "pressure to 'v and exhausting the same from the opposit'eendsot the cylinder to raise and lower the hinged frame. 'Suitable means are provided forv continuously 'rotating the shafts 13 and 16 in oppositeV directions to correspond;

ingly rotate the forming rolls 14 and 15. f

Rim loading mechanism 26 is providedlofeeclingnf.Vv u: annular rim blanks B to the rollingni'achinem'for the v" Y 'rolling operation and for'removing -the rolled rim blanks from the machine. The rim loading" mechanism com` prises a plate-like carrier 27 'which is`supprt'ed vupon the laterally spaced horizontal r'ods28 for 'slidingfmovement toward and away from the"rolling'm'achnefrom a vnormal position spaced laterally 'outwardly -from ,theV machine. The. rods-28 extend parallelwith `thefshafts 13 and 16. A mounting plate 29`issecu`1ed` vto one side` of the base frame 1101111@ muingmaehine andsupports" Ithe innerV ends of the rods' 28. The outer ends of the:U rods 28. are supported Aon an upright frame member 30.,l Y The carrier plate 27 has bearing "sleevesf 311 rigidly secured to the inner side thereofhavii'ga substantially',

`enable the' frictionless connection with the rodsl '28 to carrier plate to slide back and forth 'freelyl L i member 30 .and the remainderY of'the Acylinder isv sup,-t

entire length of the cylinderand hasV its inner `end secured to the yframe member 30 and its outer end supported on the column 38 which has been removed from Fig.l 3.. n I

in thevinterest of clarity. ""The roi 39 which projects fromI the inner end of the cylinder'and isv carried by a. piston (not shown) within the cylinder, is 'secured to a mounting 40 on the carrier. Air lines 41 'and 42 ex` tend from .a 4-way solenoid valve 43 to opposite vends of the cylinder 36 for alternately supplying air under i pressure to and exhausting the same froni'th'eoppos'ite ends of the cylinder to reciprocate `the carrier `27.

The carrier has mounted thereon the rim blank clamp-4 'ring mechanism 50 'for securingV a`rimY blank in place Vdur-` ing the movement of the carrier. This mechanism in'-, cludes a mounting bracket 5'1"'secur'ed to the front. end. i of the carrier to which is secured the generally U-shaped roller support 52, and a pin 53 extends between and is secured to the legs of the support." Afroller 54 is 'ro-1 tatably supported upon the pin which extends generally parallel to the direction of movement of the carrier.' An

from the front end thereof. The movable section com-v prises a slide 57 `which is slidably supported on parallel tracks 58. VThese tracks extend in the direction of sliding.

movement as do the generally L-shaped guider. 59 on the outer sides of the tracks. The guides and tracks are rigidly secured to the supporting plate 60 which is rigidly secured to the carrier and extends horizontally. The lower end of the slide 57 is T-shaned to t into and slidably engage the recesses provided by the guideways.

Al mounting plate 65 is secured to the rear edge of the carrier and extends inwardly. The cylinder 66 of a piston cylinder assembly 67 has its front end secured to the mounting plate 65 and a rod 68 projecting from the front end of the cylinder is carried by a piston (not shown) within'the cylinder and extends through a clearance opening inthe mounting plate and has its front end secured to the slide 57. Air lines 70 and 71 lead from 'a 4way solenoid valve 72 to opposite ends of the cylinder. The

valve is adapted to alternately direct air under pressure to and exhaust the same from der to reciprocate the slide 57.

A mounting plate 75 is secured to the front of the slide and secured to the upper portion of the mounting plate is an abutment block 76 whose front face 77 is curved to approximately the curvature of a rim blank. A pair of laterally spaced arms 78 extend forwardly from the mounting plate 75 and a roller 79 extends between and 1s iournaled for rotation by the front ends of the arms about an axis extending in the direction of travel of the carriage. The length of the rnllers 54 and 79 and the width of the abutment blocks 55 and 76 measured in the direction of movement of the carrier is slightly greater than the width or axial dimension of then rim blank so that these parts of the clamping mechanism will fully engage the corresponding portions of the rim blank.

The rim blanks are delivered to the carrier bv a troughshaped chute 85 and an elevator 86. The chute 85 has a width slightly greater than the axial length of the rim blanks andY the .bottom wall of the chute is inclined downwardly and rearwardly so that the rim blanks may roll in succession to the lower end of the chute which is positioned beneath the clamping mechanism ot' the carrier in the normal or outermost position of the latter. The rearmost extremity of the chute is indicated at 88 and beyond this point is the elevator mechanism.

Thev elevator mechanism comprises a rim supportiny plate 89 the top surface of which extends bevond tbe rea; edge of the bottom wall of the chute in substantial continuation of the top surface of the latter and inclined to approximately the same degree. The top surface ot' plate 89 is beveled at 89. At the outer edge of the plate are the angle brackets 90 which are laterally spaced apart and Droiect'upwardly from the base. The brackets have the horizontally extending portions 91 which are formed with apertures aligned with similar apertures at the rear edge of the plate and each pair of aligned apertures slidably receives a vertical guide rod 92 which is secured at its lower extremity to the base plate 93 and at its upper end to the frame member 30. These rods 92 guide the vertical reciprocation of the elevator plate 89. The elevator 89 is reciprocated by the air operated piston-cylinder assembly which includes the vertical cylinder 93 secured to frame member 30 by bracket 94. The rod 94 extends from the piston (not shown) within the cylinder and is secured at its lower end to the elevator plate. Air lines 95' and 96 extend from the 4-way solenoid valve 97 to alternately supply air under pressure to and exhaust opposite ends of the cylinder.

The elevator plate carries a shock absorber unit `95.

opposite ends of the cylin-V In detail, the unit comprises a hollow member 96 secured to the elevator plate by the mounting bracket 97. The member 96 is open at the upper end and has a vertically extending bore 97 which is of reduced diameter at the lower end. The reduced diameter portion is open at the lower end and slidably receives the piston-like member 98 which has an enlarged head 99 at the upper end slidably engaging the enlarged portion of the bore to guide the movement of the piston-like member. This member has a vertically extending socket open at the upper end and a coil compression spring 100 extends into and bears against the bottom of the socket at its lower end and against a cap 101 secured to the upper end of the hollow member 96 to close the bore. The lower end of the piston-like member is securedn to a plate r1.02 cairried by the semif'cylindr'ic'al shell 103 which slidably engages the cylindrical external surfaceof the hollow member 96. The lower edge of the shell 103 is adapted to engage the floor upon which the apparatus is mounted to cushion the downward movement of the elevator.

The elevator also includes a guide 104 for confining the rim blank as it is being raised by the elevator plate. The guide comprises the base plate structure which is supported upon the base plate 93. A pair of laterally spaced angles 11i-project upwardly from the base plate structure 110 and are located beyond the rear end of the chute 85 and are spaced apart a distance slightly greaterV than the width of the chute to receive the side walls thereof. These angle members extend vertically upwardly and are connected at their upper ends to a pair of laterally spaced angle members 112 at the rear end of the guide by braces 113. Braces 113 are welded to the vertical plates 114 which in turn are Welded to the angle members. The elevator plate 89 extends into the 'guide 104 between the plates 114 which extend from the upper braces 113 to the base plate 110 to guide the rim blank as it is moved up by the elevator. The elevator 89 is beveled at 89 to clear the braces 113 in the upper position of the elevator. The anges of the angle members 111 which extend in the direction of the chute are sub stantially aligned with those of the corresponding angle members 112. The transverse flanges of the angles 111 extend in directions away from each other whereas the transverse flanges of the angles 112 extend toward one another and terminate at their inner edges in spaced relation to each other a distance less than the axial length of a rim blank to form a positive stop limiting further rearward movement of the rim blank. In this position of the rim blank, it is supported entirely upon the elevator plate which lies directly beneath the clamping mechanism of the carrier in the normal or outermost position of the latter.

A discharge chute 116 is located between the chute 85 and the rim rolling machine and is adapted to receive the rolled rim blank after it has been discharged by the carrier during the return movement of the latter;

The operation of the device is as follows: The rim blanks are delivered to the elevator by the chute 85 and are i this position the rim blank engages and closes the limit' switch LS-S (Figs. 3 and 6) to close the circuit to the elevator relay CR-6 through lead 120 and the normally closed limit switch LS-7. The relay CR-6 is sealed in through its contact R-ea which is closed on energization of the relay. The relay also has a contact R-b inthe circuit to the solenoid E-1 of 4-way valve 97', which -contact is closed when the relay is energized to energize solenoid E-'l and shift valve 97 from its normal position to admit air under pressure to the lower end of cylinder 93 and exhaust the upper end. As a result, the elevator 89 with the rim blank supported thereon is raised.`

When the elevator reaches its upper limit, it engages and lQ'SeS .the 'limit switch LS-6 (Figs. 4 and 6) to energize the carrier relay (2R-8, the circuit to the carrier relay Y The clamp is thereupon, opened to momentarily closed by the carrier as-it moves outwardly in the clamp relay and has a second normally open contact R-7b which now `closes to energize the clamp solenoid E-Z of 4-way valve 72 to shift the latter from its normal position to a position admitting air under pressure to the rear end lof cylinder. 66 and exhausting the other end toV move the slidable section 56 of the clamp forwardly into y A that the latterwas not properlydischarged or possibly not engagementwith' the elevated rim 'blankj The roller 79,

of the transversedanges of angle members 112, moves forwardly and initially engages the under side of the rim blank and raises it againstfthe fixed roller` 54. As the roller 79 continues to advance, the rim blank is raised f between the rollers Ainto engagement with thefabutments 55 and 76 in a position directly opposite the lower forming roll...

The limit switch LS-7 is fixed and is normally closed by the movable-section of the clamp but is released and opened by the clamp when it moves into clamping engagement with the rim blank, thereby opening the circuit "to the elevator relay CR-6 and de-energizing the elevator` solenoid E-l to enable the valve 97 to assume its normal position and lower the elevator. -The limit switch LS-7 has a second contact LS-b which is open when the limit switch LS-7ris closed and vice versa.

Thus the contact- LS-7b is closed upon forward movement of the clampingY to close the circuit to safety relay CR-15 which is sealed in by its Contact R-lSa. Relay CR-IS has a normally closed contact R`1Sb in the circuit of clamp relay CR-7.

rThis contact will be opened when safety relay Clt-15 is energized to vprevent another cycle. However, normally vclosed limit switch LS-16 in the discharge chute 11G-is which when section 56 is retracted is disposedrearwardly discharged at all. The elevator in the up position will of course block the next rim blank which will roll into position on the elevator when the latter moves to its down position.

What I claim as my invention is: 1. In combination, a rim rolling machine having'opposed forming rolls supported for relative movement toy ward and away from each other into and out of rolling .i contact with oppositev sides of a wall of an annular rim f blank, means for relatively moving said forming rolls` as aforesaid, a carrier supported to one side of said rolling machine for movement in directionstoward and away from said rolling machine from a normal position spacedv Vflater-ally outwardly from said rolling machine, clamping section to clamping position, energizing the solenoid E-3 f of 4-way valve 43 through the now closed contact R-8c of the carrier relay. Energization of solenoid E-3 shifts the valve 43 from its normal position to a positiony admitting air under pressure to the outer end of cylinder 36 and venting `the other end, thereby to move the carrier with the clamped rim blank to its innermost position-in vwhich the rim blank extendsover 'the lower forming roll 14.

When the'carrier reaches its inner limiting position itengages-a limit switch LS-ll (Figs. 2 and 6)- closing a circuit to the relay CR-ll having a contact R-lla in the circuit to the solenoid I-E-df of the 4-way valve 32 vfor the assembly-20 which raises and lowers the upper roll. As a result, the valve is shifted from its normal position to a position which will admit hydraulic uid under pressure to the upper end of cylinder 21 and vent theV lower end, thereby to lower the upper roll for movement of the latter into engagement withA the wall of the rim blank supported on the lower roll. rim blank, the hinged frame 18 engages normally closed limit switch LS-13, opening the latter to open the circuit to the lclamp solenoid and enable valve 43 to assume its normal position in which the movable section of the clamping mechanism is retracted to release the rim blank and deposit'it on the lower roll.

The duration of the rolling operation may be determined by a timing mechanism T which, when it times out, will open the circuit to the solenoid E-4 of valve 32, whereupon valve 32l will assume its normal position to raise hinged frame 18. As the hinged frame rises, it releases limit switch LS-13 to again close the circuit to Before roll 15 engages the the clamp solenoid to reclamp the rim blank and lift it' position.V During movement-of the carrier toits normal position, it releases LS-ll and engages-the limit vswitch LS-S which has a normallyopen contact LS-Sa anda normally closed contact- LSe5b. VLS-Sb is in the circuit of the clamp relayandl is momentarily opened by the carrier during its outward movement to de-energize the latter asthe carrier passes over the discharge chute 116.

means on said carrier for clamping a rim blank thereon,

'- means for moving said carrier toward said rolling machine to a working position to locate the wall of the rim blank 1 clamped thereon between said forming rolls,- and means responsive to movement of said carrier towardl said rolling machine to its working position to release said clamping means and thereby release the rim blank.

2. In combination, a rim rolling machine having opposed forming rolls vsupported for relative movement toward and away from each other into and out of rolling contact with opposite sides of a wall of' an annular rim blank, a carrier supported to one side of said rolling machine for movement in directions toward and away from said rolling machine from a normal position spaced lateron said carrier for clamping a rim blank thereon, means for moving said carrier toward saidr rolling machine to a working position to locate the wall of the rim blank clamped thereon between said forming rolls, means re-v sponsive to movement of said carrier toward said rolling vmachine to its working position to release said clamp-ing .means and thereby release the rim blank, and-means responsive to movement of said carrier toward said roll-V ing machine to its working position to relativelymove said forming rolls toward each other into rolling engagement with the wall of the rim blank.

3. In combination, a'rir'n rolling machine having opposed formingl rolls supported for relative movement toward and away from each other into and out of rolling vContact with opposite sides of a wall of an annular rim blank, a carrier supported toone side of said rolling ma-A v chine for movement in directions toward and awayfrom saidrolling machine from a normal position spaced laterally outwardly from said rolling machine, clamping means on said carrier for clamping a rim blankl thereon, means Vfor moving said carrier toward said rolling/machine to a working position to locate the vwall of the rimblank clamped thereon between said forming rolls, means responsive to movementof said carrier toward said rolling machine to its working position to release said clamping means and thereby release the rim blank, means responsive to movement of said carrier toward said rolling mav i chine to its working position to relatively move-said forming rolls toward each other into rolling engagement witl the wall of the rim blank, and means responsive to relablank to actuate said clamping vmeans to reclamp the rim release the rolled rim blank and discharge the saine into chute 116. LS-Sa is blank and subsequently move said carrier away from said rolling machine.

4. In combination, a rim rolling machine having opposed forming rolls supported for relative movement toward and away from each other into and out of rolling contact with opposite sides of a wall of an annular rim blank, a carrier supported to one side of said rolling machine for movement in directions toward and away from said rolling machine from a normal position spaced laterally outwardly from said rolling machine, damping means on said carrier for clamping a rim blank thereon, means for moving said carrier toward said rolling machine to a working position to locate thewall of the rim blank clamped thereon between said forming rolls, means responsive to movement of said carrier toward said rolling machine to its working position to release said clamping means and thereby release the rim blank, means responsive to movement of said carrier toward said rolling machine to its working position to relatively move said forming rolls toward each other into rolling engagement with the wall of the rim blank, means responsive to relative movement of said forming rolls away from each other out of rolling engagement with the wall of the rim blank to actuate said clamping means to reclamp the rim blank and subsequently move said carrier away from said rolling machine, and means responsive to movement of said carrier away from said rolling machine for releasing said clamping means to discharge the rim blank.

5. Apparatus for feeding an annular rim blank to a working position, comprising a carrier supported to one side of said working position for movement toward and away from said working position from a normal position spaced laterally outwardly from said working position, clamping means on said carrier for clamping a rim blank thereon, reciprocable means movable from a retracted position to deliver a rim blank to said carrier in the normal position of the latter, means responsive to the operation of said reciprocable means for actuating said clamping means to clamp the delivered rim blank on said carrier, and means responsive to the actuation of said clamping means for retracting said reciprocable means.

6. Apparatus for feeding an annular rim blank to a working position, comprising a carrier supported to one side of said working position for movement toward and away from said working position from a normal position spaced laterally outwardly from said working position, means for delivering a rim blank to said carrier in the normal position of said carrier, clamping means on said carrier for clamping the delivered rim blank thereon, and means for releasing said clamping means upon movement of said carrier to said working position to release the rim blank.

7. In apparatus of the character described, means for feeding an annular rim blank to a working position comprising a carrier supported to one side of said working position for movement toward and away from said working position from a normal position spaced laterally outwardly from said working position, clamping means on said carrier for clamping a rim blank thereon, means for delivering a rim blank to said carrier in the normal position of the latter comprising a reciprocable elevator operative to raise a rim blank to said normal position, means responsive to the operation of said elevator for actuating said clamping means to clamp the delivered rim blank on said carrier, and means responsive to movement of said carrier to said working position for releasing said clamping means to release the rim blank.

8. In apparatus of the character described, means for transferring an annular rim blank to and from a working position comprising a carrier supported to one side of said working position for movement toward and away from said working position from a normal position spaced laterally outwardly from said working position, clamping means on said carrier for clamping a rim blank thereon, means for delivering a rim blank to said carrier in the normal position of the latter comprising a reciprocable elevator operative to raise a rim blank to said normal position, means responsive to the operation of said elevator for actuating said clamping means to clamp the delivered rim blank on said carrier, means responsive to the operation of said clamping means to clamp the rim blank for moving said carrier toward said working position, means responsive to movement of said carrier to said Vworking position for releasing said clamping means to release the rim blank, means for actuating said clamping means to reclamp the rim blank on said carrier, means responsive to the operation of said last-mentioned means for moving said carrier away from said working position, and means responsive to movement of said carrier away from said working position for releasing said clamping means to discharge the rim blank.

9. Apparatus for feeding an annular rim blank to a working position, comprising a carrier supported to one side of said working position for movement in directions toward and away from said working position from a normal position spaced laterally outwardly from said working position, clamping means on said carrier for clamping a rim blank thereon, and means for releasing said clamping means upon movement of said carrier to said working position to release the rim blank.

10. In apparatus of the character described, means for transferring an annular rim blank to and from a working position comprising a carrier supported to one side of said working position for movement in directions toward and away from said working position from a normal position spaced laterally outwardly from said working position, clamping means on said carrier for clamping a rim blank thereon, means for releasing said clamping means upon movement of said carrier to said working position to release the rim blank, and means for subsequently actuating said clamping means to reclamp the rim blank prior to movement of said carrier away from said working position.

l1. In apparatus of the character described, means for transferring an annular rim blank to and from a Working position comprising a carrier supported to one side of said working position for movement in directions toward and away from said working position from a normal position spaced laterally outwardly from said working position, clamping means on said carrier for clamping a rim blank thereon, means for releasing said clamping means in response to movement of said carrier to said working position to release the rim blank, means for subsequently actuating said clamping means to reclamp the rim blank prior to movement of said carrier away from said working position, and means responsive to movement of said carrier away from said working position for releasing said clamping means to discharge the rim blank.

l2. In apparatus of the character described, means for transferring an annular rim blank from a working position comprising a carrier supported to one side of said working position for movement in directions toward and away from said working position from a normal position spaced laterally outwardly from said working position, clamping means on said carrier for clamping a rim blank thereon when said carrier is at said working position, and means for releasing said clamping means in response to movement of said carrier away from said working position to discharge the rim blank.

13. Apparatus for feeding an annular rim blank to a working position, comprising a carrier supported to one side of said working position for movement in directions toward and away from said working position from a normal position spaced laterally outwardly from said working position, clamping means on said carrier for clamping a rim-blank thereon, and means responsive to the operation of said clamping means to clamp the rim blank for moving said carrier toward said working position, and A.

transferring an annular rim blank to and from a working-l positiongcomprising a 'carrier supported to .one sidefof said workingposition for movement in directions towardand away from said' working position from a normal position. spaced ylaterally outwardly from saidf working position, clamping means on said carrier foi- .clamping :at:

rim blank thereon', means responsive to the operation of which it ,mayfbefclamped betweenL sa-id v,abutrnents including a roller carried by said second part beneath'said "second abutmentj'and, Yengageable'with the underside-v of the `:rim blank during'initial movement 'of said second part i toward said first parttov elevate lthe rim blank, and a secsaid clamping means to clamp the rim blank for moving said carrier toward said working position, means responsive to the movement of said carrier to said working position for releasing said clamping means to release the rim blank, and means for subsequently actuating said clamping means to reclamp the rim blank on said carrier and for moving said carrier away from said working position.

15. In apparatus of the character described, means for transferring an annular rim blank to and from a working position comprising a carrier supported to one side of said Working position for movement in directions toward and away from said working position from a normal position spaced laterally outwardly from said working position, clamping means on said carrier for clamping a rim blank thereon, means responsive to the operation of said clamping means to clamp the rim blank for moving said carrier toward said working position, means responsive to the movement of said carrier to said working position for releasing said clamping means to release the rim blank, means for subsequently actuating said clamping means to reclarnp the rim blank on said carrier and for moving said carrier away from said working position, and means responsive to the movement of said carrier away from said working position for releasing said clamping means to release the rim blank.

16. Apparatus for feeding an annular rim blank to a working position, comprising a carrier supported to one side of said working position for movement toward and away from said working position from a normal position spaced laterally outwardly from said working position, means for supporting a rim blank adjacent said normal position, and clamping means on said carrier for engaging the rim blank supported by said means and clamping it on said carrier in the normal position of the latter, said clamping means including a first clamping part having a first abutment engageable with a rim blank at one side thereof, a second clamping part movable toward and away from said first part and having a second abutment engageable with a rim blank at the opposite side thereof and cooperable with said first abutment to clamp the rim blank in position on said carrier upon movement of said second part toward said first part, and means for elevating a rim blank supported by said supporting means to a position in which it may be clamped between said abutments including a roller carried by said second part and engageable with the underside of the rim blank during initial movement of said second part toward said first part,

17. Apparatus for feeding an annular rim blank to a working position, comprising a carrier supported to one side of said working position for movement toward and away from said working position ,from a normal position spaced laterally outwardly from said working position, means for supporting a rim blank adjacent said normal position, and clamping means on said carrier for engaging the rim blank supported by said means and vclamping it on said carrier in the normal position of the latter, said clamping means including a first clamping part having a first abutment engageable with a rim blank at one side thereof, a second clamping part movable toward and away from said first part and having a second abutment engageable with a rim blank at the opposite side thereof and cooperable with said rst abutment to clamp the rim blank in position on said carrier upon movement of said second part toward said first part and means for elevating a rim blank supported by said supporting means to a position in ond roller carried by said rst part beneath said rst abutment adapted to 'guide the rimfblank, as itis elevated by `-said first roller, in'to position between said 'abutments 18. In combination,- a rim rolling machine having opposed forming rolls supportedQfor relative movement toward and away from eachother into and out of rolling contact with opposite sides of a wall of an annular rim blank, a carrier supported to one side of said rolling machine for movement in directions toward and away from said rolling machine from a normal position spaced laterally outwardly from said rolling machine, clamping means on said carrier for clamping a rim blank thereon, means for moving said carrier toward said rolling machine to a working position to locate the wall of the rim blank clamped thereon between said forming rolls, means responsive to movement of said carrier toward said rolling machine to its working position for relatively moving said forming rolls toward each other into rolling engagement with the wall of the rim blank, and means responsive to relative movement of said forming rolls toward each other for releasing said clamping means to thereby release the rim blank.

i9. In combination, a rim rolling machine having opposed forming rolls supported for relative movement toward and away from each other into and out of rolling contact with opposite sides of `a wall of an annular rim blank, a carrier supported to one side of said rolling machine for movement in directions toward and away from said rolling machine from a normal position spaced laterally outward-ly from said rolling machine, clamping means on said carrier for clamping a rim blank thereon, means for moving said carrier toward said rolling machine to a working position to locate the wall of the rim blank clamped thereon between said forming rolls, and means responsive to movement of said carrier toward said rolling machine to its working position for releasing said clamping means to thereby release the rim blank and for relatively moving said forming rolls toward each other into rolling engagement with the wall of the rim blank.

20. Apparatus for feeding an annular rim blank to a working position, comprising a carrier supported to one side of said working position for movement toward and away from said working position from a normal position spaced laterally outwardly from said working position, clamping means on said carrier for clamping a rim blank thereon, fluid pressure means for operating said clamping means, means for delivering a rim blank to said carrier in the normal position of the latter, and means responsive to the operation of said last-mentioned means for actuating said uid pressure means.

21. In combination, a rim rolling machine having opposed forming rolls supported for relative movement toward and away from each other into and out of rolling contact with opposite sides of a wall of an annular rim blank, a carrier supported to one side -of said rolling machine for movement in directions toward and away from said rolling machine from a normal position spaced laterally outwardly from said rolling machine, means for delivering a rim blank to said carrier at said normal position, clamping means on said carrier operative in response to the operation of said first-mentioned means to clamp a rim blank on said carrier, means responsive to the clamping of the rim blank on said carrier at said norm-al position by said clamping means for moving said carrier toward said rolling machine to a working position locating the wall of the rim blank clamped thereon between said forming rolls, means responsive to the movement of said carrier toward said rolling machine to its working position for relatively moving said forming rolls toward each other into rolling engagement with the wall of the rim blank,

1 1 means responsive to relative movement of said forming rolls toward each other for releasing said clamping means to thereby release the rim blank, means responsive to relative movement of said forming rolls away from each other out of rolling engagement with the wall of the rim blank to actuate said clamping means to reclamp the rim blank and subsequently move said carrier away from said rolling machine, and means responsive to movement of said carrier away from said rolling machine for releasing v said clamping means to discharge the rim blank.

UNITED STATES PATENTS Brink Oct. 9, 1928 Wiles June 24, 1930 Sneed Dec. 12, 1933 Adams July 23, 1935 Maddock .3.. Aug. 7, 1956 Leasia Aug. 13, 1957 

